Earlier, Minister Jonan inaugurated the 3 x 18 megawatt (MW) Steam Power Plant (PLTU) Tanjung Bara, a KPC-operated mouth mine power plant. KPC sold 18 MW of electricity to PLN, and then used PLN to meet the needs of 40 thousand customers in Sangatta and surrounding areas.

"I encourage mining businesses to meet their own electricity needs to build a steam power plant, and then provide one-third of their electricity to the community, so as to improve the quality of life of the people and at the same time push the electrification ratio to 100 percent soon," said Jonan.

According to Kalimantan Regional Business Director of PLN Machnizon, the electricity needs of Sangatta and its surrounding areas are being met from PLN's diesel power plant (PLTD) and part of the Mahakam system, with a capacity of 18.5 MW.

The supply from the Mahakam System went through the 8 MW Bay Pandan Bay Post. Entry 18 MW of electricity from KPC makes PLN no longer need to operate the PLTD. The cost of electricity production also fell.

According to Machnizon, PLN performs considerable efficiency. Power capacity was increased to 26 MW, while the peak of Sangatta peak only reached 18.14 MW.

"It's like this, if we used to produce 1 kWh with a basic cost of Rp2.000, currently 1 kWh with a price below Rp 1,000 There is efficiency," said Machnizon.

PLN hopes that the excess power can be utilized to meet the needs of large customers such as government offices, stadiums, hospitals, and general customers.

In addition, currently the construction of 150 kV substations in Sangatta by PLN has also been completed and is ready to operate to support interconnection with Mahakam System. (tar)